Cover prop apparatus for barbeque grill

ABSTRACT

A barbecue grill cover propping apparatus is disclosed for adjustably maintaining a barbecue grill cover in any of a number of partially open, user selected positions. The apparatus preferably includes first and second arms adapted for engaging the grill firebox and cover. The arms are pivotally connected and include ratchet and pawl structures to permit the arms to be selectively fixed in any one of a plurality of angular configurations.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/229,617 filed on Nov. 19, 2002.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] N/A.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document containsmaterial that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright ownerhas no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdocument or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates to barbeque grills, and, moreparticularly to a barbecue grill cover prop apparatus for selectivelypropping a barbecue grill cover in a partially open configuration.

[0006] 2. Description of the Background Art

[0007] Those in the Southern and Western United States define Barbecue(BBQ) as an outdoor festival at which a beef or hog is dressed whole androasted on a spit over a pit fire. The popularity of the barbeque hasremained undiminished since the 1700s, when Spanish explorers found WestIndians smoking meat on wood frames called barbacoas. In the late 1800'scowboys of the West cooked brisket, a tough, stringy piece of meat, overopen fires while herding cattle on the range. Today, more than 500barbecue competitions are held each year in the U.S ranging from smallcook-offs at county fairs to major-league events such as the AmericanRoyal Barbecue Contests in Kansas City, Mo. Many barbecue enthusiastsuse specialized devices that smoke the meat slowly at a low temperature.To the purists, this is the only true barbecue; direct heat methods are,technically speaking, grilling.

[0008] Preparing food outdoors has become increasingly popular in theUnited States. As a result, simple coal or gas fired barbecue grillshave continue to increase in popularity due to their convenience ofoperation, relatively instant availability for use in cooking,substantially even heat distribution and cooking of food, ease ofclean-up and versatility to cook numerous varieties of foods.

[0009] Conventional gas grills consist of a cart or frame that supportsa firebox. The firebox contains a burner assembly adjacent to a lowerportion thereof and a cooking grid supported along the upper edgethereof. The firebox usually includes a hinged cover to create a cookingchamber. Lava rock is often disposed between the cooking grid and theburner assembly. The lava rock, acting as a form of a conductive member,absorbs the heat from the burning gas and provides a generally uniformheat producing means for the food being cooked. The grill is oftensupported by a frame, arranged and configured to substantiallycorrespond to the firebox to support the grill thereon.

[0010] Coal fired barbecue grills also include a firebox and hoodcontaining a metal cooking surface. The firebox functions to containcharcoal briquettes beneath the cooking surface. One popular type ofcoal fired barbecue grill is referred to as a kettle-type grill, whichutilizes a cooking chamber in the form of a barbecue kettle. A barbecuekettle may consist of a generally semi-spherical bottom bowl that has acircular opening with a cooking grid located slightly below the upperrim of the bowl. A generally semi-spherical top cover can be placed onthe bottom bowl to enclose the barbecue kettle. The barbecue kettle issupported on a leg arrangement. One popular type of such a kettle grillconfiguration is a registered trademark of the Weber-Stephen ProductsCompany.

[0011] Barbecue grill enthusiasts practice a wide variety of cookingstyles and techniques. While some cooking styles call involvemaintaining the firebox cover fully open or fully closed, there are anumber of situations wherein it is desirable to maintain the fireboxcover partially open. One disadvantage associated with conventionalbarbecue grills is that the firebox cover is limited to either fullyopen or fully closed configurations. Accordingly, there exists a needfor a barbecue grill that overcomes the disadvantages present withconventional grills.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a coverpropping apparatus for use with a barbecue grill.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a barbecuegrill cover propping apparatus for adjustably maintaining a barbecuegrill cover in any of a number of partially open positions.

[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide auniversal barbecue grill cover propping apparatus that is suitable foruse with a wide variety of barbecue grills.

[0015] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gas barbecue grill adapted witha cover propping apparatus according to the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the grill depicting thecover propping apparatus;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a partial detail view thereof;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a rear partial view thereof in a propped and lockedconfiguration;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a rear partial view thereof in an unlockedconfiguration;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a barbecue grill adapted withan alternate embodiment cover prop apparatus;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a partial rear perspective view thereof;

[0023]FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of yet another alternateembodiment cover propping apparatus adapted for levered operation;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a barbecue grill with the coverprop apparatus depicted in FIG. 8 attached thereto;

[0025]FIG. 10 depicts a gas barbecue grill adapted with yet anotheralternate embodiment grill cover prop apparatus;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the grill cover prop apparatusdepicted in FIG. 10;

[0027]FIG. 12 is a partial view of a grill adapted with still anotheralternate embodiment grill cover prop apparatus;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the grill cover prop apparatusdepicted in FIG. 12;

[0029]FIG. 14 is another view thereof;

[0030]FIG. 15 depicts a gas barbecue grill adapted with anotherembodiment cover propping apparatus;

[0031]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the cover propping apparatusdepicted in FIG. 15;

[0032]FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of a grill adapted with aratcheted embodiment grill cover propping apparatus;

[0033]FIG. 18 is a perspective view thereof; and

[0034]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment grillcover prop;

[0035]FIG. 20 is an exploded view thereof;

[0036]FIG. 21 is a detailed perspective view thereof installed on abarbecue grill;

[0037]FIG. 22 is a partial exploded perspective view thereof; and

[0038]FIG. 23 is another perspective view thereof installed on abarbecue grill.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The invention will further be described with reference to thedrawings wherein the same number in the various figures has identicalmeaning. FIGS. 1-5 depict a first embodiment barbecue grill coverpropping mechanism according to the present invention, generallyreferenced as 10. Cover propping mechanism 10 is depicted in aninstalled and operative relation with a barbecue grill “G”. It should benoted that the cover propping mechanisms disclosed herein are suitablefor use with gas, electric, or coal burning barbecue grills.

[0040] Propping mechanism 10 includes an elongate rigid member 12 and abase 14 adapted for attachment to a barbecue grill. Base 14 preferablyincludes first and second projecting members, referenced as 14A and 14B,which function to enable attachment of propping mechanism 10 to abarbecue grill as depicted in FIG. 2. The elongate rigid member 12extends generally upward and is curved toward the rear of the grill. Inaddition, rigid member 12 defines an elongate slotted aperture 16 havinga plurality of notches 18 as best depicted in FIG. 3. Slotted aperture16 receives a spring-loaded propping knob 20 therein. Propping knob 20includes a projecting shaft 22 having an end cap 24 for retaining ahelical spring 26 disposed on shaft 22 as depicted in FIG. 2. Shaft 22further includes a projecting key 23 which functions as a locking memberfor securing knob 20 as more fully explained herein.

[0041] Mechanism 10 is installed on a grill by attachment of base 14 toa side edge portion of the firebox as depicted in FIGS. 1-3. Whenmechanism 10 is attached to a barbecue gill, the grill cover rests on aportion of shaft 22 in a supported configuration. Knob 20 is adjustablypositionable along the length of rigid member 12 to allow for manualadjustment of the grill cover in any of a number of angularly disposed,partially open positions. As best depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, shaft 22includes a projecting key portion 23 which is removably received withinany of the slotted aperture notches 18 thereby securing the knob at auser selected position on rigid member 12. Adjustment of knob 20 isaccomplished by urging the knob outward (i.e. away from the side of thegrill) against the force of spring 26 such that the shaft key isdisplaced from a notch 18, sliding the knob to a user selected position,and allowing spring 26 to urge the knob back to seated position whereinthe shaft key is received within a notch 18 on rigid member 12. Asshould be apparent, positioning knob 20 at various positions along rigidmember 12 results in the grill cover being propped open a correspondingdegree.

[0042]FIGS. 6 and 7 depict an alternate embodiment grill cover proppingmechanism, generally referenced as 30. The alternate embodiment proppingmechanism 30 is generally h-shaped, and includes an a base 32, havingopposing legs 32A and 32B for attachment to the side edge of a grill, anelongate rigid member 34 defining a slotted aperture 36, and a grillcover propping knob 40. As with the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-5,knob 40 includes a shaft 42 that is received in slotted aperture 36 asbest depicted in FIG. 5. Shaft 42 includes circumferential teeth (notshown) which mesh with corresponding teeth defined at the periphery ofslotted aperture 36 to enable vertical adjustment of knob 40, and hencethe grill cover, by rotation of knob 40. Knob 40 may be fixed at a userselected position along elongate member 34 by insertion of a locking pin44 in apertures 38 thereby preventing vertical movement of knob 40 byundesired rotation thereof. A spring disposed on shaft 42 urges knob 40toward elongate member 34 and into a locked configuration. Adjustment ofthe grill cover is accomplished by urging knob 40 away from member 34such that locking pin 44 is displaced from any aperture 38, and rotatingknob 40 such that the corresponding gear teeth cause vertical adjustmentof knob 40 to a user selected position. Upon reaching the desiredposition, the user allows spring action to retract knob 40 such thatlocking pin 44 is received within a corresponding aperture 38 therebyfixing knob 40 in position along member 34 whereby the grill cover ispropped open.

[0043]FIGS. 8 and 9 depict yet another embodiment grill cover proppingmechanism, generally referenced as 50. Mechanism 50 includes anattachment clip 52 and a lever arm 54 pivotally connected to attachmentclip 52. Lever arm 54 is preferably an angled piece of rigid materialand includes a first end 54A and a second end 54B. Attachment clip 52includes a locking set screw 53 which functions to facilitate securedconnection of cover prop mechanism 50 to the upper side edge of thegrill firebox. A knob, generally referenced as 60, is connected to thelever arm first end 54A. Knob 60 includes a projecting shaft 62 thatreceives a helical spring 64 disposed thereon as best depicted in FIG.8. Spring 64 urges knob 60 to an operative position wherein shaft 62 isdisposed under the edge of the grill cover. Mechanism 50 may beconfigured in a non-operative configuration by urging knob 60 away fromthe grill cover and manipulating lever arm 54 such that the end of shaft62 engages the side of the grill cover thereby permitting the coverfully close. Lever arm second end 54B includes a horizontally projectingflange 55 for providing a grasping structure that allows a user toactuate lever arm 54 to a position wherein knob 60 supports the grillcover in a partially open configuration as depicted in FIG. 9. A lockingpin 66 may be inserted in a locking pin aperture defined in lever arm 54and corresponding apertures defined in attachment clip 52 to securelever arm 54 in a desired position supporting the grill cover.

[0044]FIGS. 10 and 11 depict yet another embodiment grill cover propapparatus, generally referenced as 70. Cover prop apparatus 70 isrotationally actuated and includes a knob 72 securely connected to agenerally circular shaft 74. Knob 72 preferably includes a peripheraledge defining a plurality of notches, referenced as 72A, which notchesfunction to enable the user to securely grip and precisely rotate knob72 during adjustment of apparatus 70. Shaft 74 is generally cylindricaland defines a circumferential recessed groove 76. Cover prop apparatus70 is installed on a grill by partially raising the grill cover andpositioning apparatus 70 such that groove 76 of shaft 74 engages boththe upper side edge of the grill fire box as well as the lower side edgeof the grill cover thereby maintaining the grill cover in a partiallyopen configuration as best depicted in FIG. 10. When installed asdepicted in FIG. 10, the grill cover may be adjusted by rotation of knob72 thereby causing shaft 74 to travel along the edge of the fireboxeither toward or away from the rear of the grill. As should be apparent,counterclockwise rotation of knob 72 will result in the grill propapparatus traveling toward the rear of the grill thereby urging thecover to a more open configuration. Conversely, clockwise rotation ofknob 72 will result in the grill prop apparatus traveling toward thefront of the grill thereby allowing the cover to move to a more closedconfiguration.

[0045] FIGS. 12-14 disclose a hinge type embodiment of a grill coverprop apparatus, generally referenced 80. Prop apparatus 80 includes abase 82 and an elongate rigid portion 84 extending vertically from saidbase. Base 82 includes a pair of opposing legs, referenced as 82A and82B, which function to facilitate clipped attachment of apparatus 80 tothe side edge of a grill firebox as best depicted in FIG. 12. Rigidportion 84 includes a generally cylindrical vertical collar structure86, similar to a hinge, and defines a series of vertically stacked,horizontal slotted apertures, referenced as 88A-88E. A pintle,referenced as 90, comprising an elongate cylindrical member, isinsertably received within hinge structure 86 so as to be capable ofrotation relative thereto, and further capable of vertical adjustment bysliding relative to hinge structure 86 when in an adjustableconfiguration. Pintle 90 further includes a first radially projectingshaft 92 terminating in a knob 94 which function as a grasping member tofacilitate adjustment of the apparatus. Pintle 90 also includes a secondradially projecting shaft 96, angularly spaced from shaft 92, forsupporting the grill cover. Once attached to the side upper edge of agrill firebox as depicted in FIG. 12, pintle shaft 96 projects towardthe interior of the grill and supports the grill cover in a partiallyopen configuration. Adjustment of the apparatus merely requires that theuser grasp knob 94 and manually rotate the pintle assembly from theposition depicted in FIG. 13 to the position depicted in FIG. 14,whereby pintle 90 may be vertically adjusted. Once at the desiredposition the pintle assembly is reconfigured to a position similar tothat shown in FIG. 13 such that first shaft 92 is supported by a portionof hinge structure 86 corresponding to any of the positions 88A-88E.

[0046] FIGS. 15-16 depict another embodiment for a grill cover propapparatus, referenced as 100. Grill prop apparatus 100 generallyincludes first and second members, referenced as 102 and 104respectively, connected by a hinge 106. First member 102 is adapted forattachment to a grill cover by mechanical or adhesive fasteners 108A and108B. Second member 104 includes a plurality of inwardly projectingflanges, referenced as 110A-110C, which cooperate with an inner surfaceof member 104 to create an angled niche for receiving the upper sideedge of the grill firebox as depicted in FIG. 15. Hinge 106 ispreferably spring loaded so as to bias second member 104 inward towardthe firebox such that the angled niches formed by projecting flanges 110and member 104 automatically engage the firebox upper side edge of thefirebox as the grill cover is raised by the user. With grill propapparatus 100 installed on a grill, member 104 and flanges 110 aredisposed along side the firebox sidewall when the grill cover is in aclosed position. Upon raising the grill cover, spring loaded hinge 106urges member 104 toward the side of the grill fire box such that theupper side edge of the firebox may be selectively received between oneof the flanges 110 and member 104 upon release by the user therebypropping the grill cover in a partially open position.

[0047]FIGS. 17 and 18 depict a ratcheted embodiment of a grill propapparatus, generally referenced as 110, attached to a barbecue grill“G”. Apparatus 110 includes a toothed ratchet wheel 112 connected to thegrill cover hinge, and a lever 114 pivotally connected to the side ofthe grill firebox by a pivot pin 115 as best depicted in FIG. 17. Lever114 has a first end portion adapted with a projecting flange 116 thatfunctions as a surface upon which a user actuates the apparatus. Inaddition, lever 114 includes a second end forming a pawl for actuatingratchet wheel 112. Apparatus 110 functions to allow a user to positionthe grill cover to a plurality of open positions by actuating lever 114by depressing flange 116 on pivotal lever 114 such that pawl 118 causescounterclockwise rotation of ratchet wheel 112. A mechanical connectionbetween ratchet wheel 112 and the grill cover transfers the rotationalmovement to the grill cover hinge assembly thereby raising the grillcover. As should be apparent, incremental actuation of lever 114 allowsfor corresponding incremental raising of the grill cover. A knob 120connected to ratchet wheel 112, may further be used to manually raisethe cover by rotation thereof.

[0048] FIGS. 19-23 depict another alternate embodiment considered toembody the best mode of the present invention, generally referenced as200. Grill prop 200 includes a first and second pivotally connectedarms, referenced as 210 and 220, and an elongate adjustable rod 230. Rod230 is telescopically adjustable to facilitate use of the invention inconnection with a variety of grill makes and models having differingwidth dimensions. Arms 210 and 220 are preferably formed of metal ofsufficient gauge and dimensions so as to be capable of supporting aheavy grill cover in an open position.

[0049] First arm 210 includes a first end 212 and a second end 218.First end 212 defines a plurality of peripheral notches 214 and agenerally centrally disposed aperture 216 for receiving a pivot pin,such as rod 230. Second end 218 is adapted with a projecting flange 219for engaging the peripheral side edge of the grill fire box as best seenin FIG. 21.

[0050] Second arm 220 includes a first end 222 and a second end 228. Thefirst end 222 of the second arm includes a slotted aperture 224 forfacilitating pivotal mating engagement with the corresponding first endof the first arm. The second arm 220 further includes a projectinglocking pin 226 adapted for being received within one of the pluralityof notches 214 for fixing second arm 220 in an angular position relativewith the first arm. More particularly, slotted aperture 224 allows forslidable relative movement in a radial direction between first andsecond arms 210 and 220 such that locking pin 226 may be selectivelyreceived in or removed from any of the plurality of notches 214 definedin first end 212 of first arm 210.

[0051] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in whatis considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious structural and/or functionalmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

What I claim is:
 1. An apparatus for propping open the cover of abarbecue grill of the type having a fire box and a cover pivotallyconnected to the firebox, said apparatus comprising: means for engagingthe barbecue grill firebox; means for engaging the barbecue grill cover;means for adjusting said means for engaging the barbecue grill cover forselectively propping said barbecue grill cover in one of a plurality ofpartially open configurations.
 2. An apparatus for propping open thecover of a barbecue grill according to claim 1, wherein said means forengaging the grill firebox includes a first arm and said means forengaging the grill cover includes a second arm, said first arm and saidsecond arm being pivotally connected about a pivot point.
 3. Anapparatus for propping open the cover of a barbecue grill according toclaim 2, further including means for selectively angularly fixing saidsecond arm relative to said first arm.
 4. An apparatus for propping openthe cover of a barbecue grill of the type having a firebox and a coverpivotally connected to the firebox, said apparatus comprising: means forengaging the barbecue grill cover; means for engaging the barbecue grillfirebox; means for pivotally connecting said means for engaging abarbecue grill cover and said means for engaging a barbecue grillfirebox.
 5. An apparatus for propping open the cover of a barbecue grillaccording to claim 4, wherein: said means for engaging the barbecuegrill firebox includes a first elongate arm having a perpendicularlyprojecting firebox engaging flange; and said means for engaging thebarbecue grill cover includes a second elongate arm having aperpendicularly projecting cover engaging flange.
 6. An apparatus forpropping open the cover of a barbecue grill according to claim 5,wherein said first elongate arm has an end portion having an arc-shapededge defining a plurality of notches and said second elongate arm has anend portion defining a projecting member sized to be received withinsaid notches.
 7. An apparatus for propping open the cover of a barbecuegrill according to claim 4, wherein said means for pivotally connectingsaid means for engaging a barbecue grill cover and said means forengaging a barbecue grill firebox includes a telescopically adjustablepivot pin.